Sūrat al-Shūrā
سورۃ الشوریٰ
أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ أَلَا إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّحِيطٌ
Alā innahum fī miryatin min liqāʾi rabbihim, alā innahu bi-kulli shayʾin muḥīṭ.
"Indeed, they are in doubt about the meeting with their Lord. Indeed, He encompasses all things." (Ḥā Mīm al-Sajda 41:54)
Alā innahum — Surely these people are in a state of doubt. Fī miryatin — they are enmeshed in uncertainty. Min liqāʾi rabbihim — concerning the meeting with their Lord; that is, they have no hope of attaining the divine presence, and they do not believe that they will stand before the Lord. Alā innahu bi-kulli shayʾin muḥīṭ — Indeed, Allah encompasses all things with His power; nothing is outside His grasp.
Translation: Indeed, they harbour grave doubts about the meeting of the divine presence — yes! Allah encompasses everything (nothing is outside His personal encompassing).
The Importance of This Verse for ʿAqīda
O seekers! This verse holds immense importance from the standpoint of creed. Reflect carefully. Among all material things, matter follows this law: it is always stationary — nothing moves it until some external force acts upon it. And the moving thing is always running about — why is it running? Because it carries movement within it, and this movement and activity is sustained with a blessing. O seekers! Reflect — the entire world is in a unified system. Everything in it proceeds according to an established law. This system must have a single centre. And that centre can only be the Lord of all the Worlds.
One harmony in all — and Reality remains ever-present.
O seekers! Reflect upon yourselves. Both the world and we ourselves are changing. Every moment is transience (fanāʾ) and permanence (baqāʾ). Something is lost — something is found. Some wise men say that within seven to eight years the human body undergoes such a transformation that not a single particle of the original body remains — this is now an established fact — all of us know the things of twelve years ago, yet matter changes while we remain knowing them. And this is contrary to matter's law — therefore matter and other than matter are both present.
And so: I am here. My knowledge existed years ago. And years hence, I hope to continue — where will I come from after the veil of the unseen? My existence without the pleasures of the body is not real existence. Therefore it is necessary that there be a Real and True existence, and the Creator of all existences is the miracle of divine power. For example, a child is born, and another child is born from it — it grows, and when it is old it passes away. It excuses itself, saying: "You pushed me, rather than I pushing you." Rather, another child pushed us along. This tiny child neither believes nor supposes that there is any movement belonging to itself — for the essence of movement is that it is initiated by another. Therefore there is no movement without a Mover — no creature without a Creator — no contingent being without a Necessary Being. Existence without pleasure-seeking is impossible, and existence without a Creator is impossible — therefore a Necessary Being (wājib al-wujūd) must exist without any of these contingencies.
(Continuation of the commentary on the final verse of Sūrat Ḥā Mīm al-Sajda, and the opening of Sūrat al-Shūrā)
There is no knowing of God! Look — God's existence is known intuitively. Someone asked how the existence of God can be proven. He said: "Does the lamp not shine for it to be necessary to light the lamp?" — That is, does the morning not display its light without any need for a lamp? In any case, we cannot be in doubt about the existence of God — because we are always changing and God is eternal and permanent — as it was:
Lā ilāha illā huwa — al-ḥaqqu l-mubīnu Muḥammadun rasūlu llāhi l-ṣādiqul-amīn.
Every green leaf, to the discerning eye, is a page of the book of divine gnosis.
فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ
Fa-aynamā tuwallū fa-thamma wajhu llāh.
"Wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah." (al-Baqara 2:115)
وَفِي أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
Wa-fī anfusikum, afalā tubṣirūn.
"And within your own selves — do you not see?" (al-Dhāriyāt 51:21)
[Translator's note: the author here joins two verses into a single thematic citation — al-Baqara 2:115 ("Wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah") and al-Dhāriyāt 51:21 ("And within your own selves — do you not see?") — to point to the divine signs in both the outer horizons and the inner self.]
And it is the truest of words — the Arabs would say: aṣdaqu kalimatin qālatahā l-ʿarab: alā kullu shayʾin mā khalā llāha bāṭil — "The most truthful word the Arabs ever uttered is: indeed, everything except Allah is vanity."
Sūrat al-Shūrā (al-Shūrā, Sūra 42)
Sūrat al-Shūrā was revealed in Mecca. It has 53 verses and 5 rukūʿs.
بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ
Bismillāhi l-Raḥmāni l-Raḥīm.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
حم
Ḥā Mīm.
This is a complete verse — Allah alone knows its meaning.
عسق
ʿAyn Sīn Qāf.
This too is a complete verse — whether it constitutes a single verse or forms part of a verse is a matter established by transmitted authority (tawqīfī). Its meaning, too, is known only to Allah.
كَذَٰلِكَ يُوحِي إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ اللَّهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Kadhālika yūḥī ilayka wa-ilā lladhīna min qablika llāhu l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm.
"Thus does Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise, send revelation to you and to those before you." (al-Shūrā 42:3)
Kadhālika yūḥī ilayka — In this manner He sends revelation to you. Wa-ilā lladhīna min qablika — and to those who came before you, that is, to the earlier prophets, revelation was also sent. The chain of prophethood is not a new matter — this series has continued from the beginning until the Seal of the Prophets ﷺ. Allāhu l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm — Allah, who sends this revelation, is the All-Mighty and possessor of wisdom — He is its Agent.
Translation: In this manner (as is customary) He sends revelation to you and to those who came before you — Allah, possessor of honour and wisdom.
لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Lahu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍ, wa-huwa l-ʿaliyyu l-ʿaẓīm.
"To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great." (al-Shūrā 42:4)
Lahu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; all is His property — maqālīd (keys/treasuries) are gathered in His hand. He appointed the prophets as His vicegerents and raised them above all — wa-huwa l-ʿaliyyu l-ʿaẓīm — and His rank is the loftiest and His dignity the most tremendous.
Translation: All that is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah — He is the Most High and of the most sublime dignity.
تَكَادُ السَّمَاوَاتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ أَلَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Takādu l-samāwātu yatafaṭṭarna min fawqihinna, wa-l-malāʾikatu yusabbiḥūna bi-ḥamdi rabbihim, wa-yastaghfirūna li-man fī l-arḍ. Alā inna llāha huwa l-ghafūru l-raḥīm.
"The heavens are nearly rent asunder from above them, while the angels glorify the praises of their Lord and seek forgiveness for those on the earth. Indeed, it is Allah who is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful." (al-Shūrā 42:5)
Takādu l-samāwātu yatafaṭṭarna — It is as if the heavens are about to split asunder. Min fawqihinna — from above them, that is, they nearly burst from the divine majesty descending upon them — wa-l-malāʾikatu yusabbiḥūna bi-ḥamdi rabbihim — and the angels glorify their Lord with His praise; they are overwhelmed — and they consider themselves as nothing in His power, because His greatness covers all the worlds. Wa-yastaghfirūna li-man fī l-arḍ — And they pray for forgiveness for the good people on earth who are worthy of it. Alā inna llāha huwa l-ghafūru l-raḥīm — Indeed, Allah is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful — yes! He is the Concealer of faults and the Compassionate.
Translation: The heavens are about to burst from above and the angels glorify and praise Allah — and they seek forgiveness for those on earth. Indeed! Allah is certainly the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهُ حَفِيظٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَا أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ
Wa-lladhīna ttakhadhū min dūnihi awliyāʾa, allāhu ḥafīẓun ʿalayhim, wa-mā anta ʿalayhim bi-wakīl.
"And as for those who take protectors other than Him — Allah is watching over them, and you are not a guardian over them." (al-Shūrā 42:6)
Wa-lladhīna ttakhadhū — and those people who have taken others besides Allah as friends — those who have abandoned Him and seized upon others — awliyāʾa — friends. Allāhu ḥafīẓun ʿalayhim — Allah is their Guardian and Watcher — He guards them and is aware of everything. Wa-mā anta ʿalayhim bi-wakīl — and you are not responsible for them — we will guide them when we go, we will hold them accountable.
Translation: And those people who have taken others besides Allah as their own friend — Allah keeps watch over them — and you are in no way responsible for them.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنذِرَ يَوْمَ الْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ فَرِيقٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِي السَّعِيرِ
Wa-kadhālika awḥaynā ilayka qurʾānan ʿarabiyyan li-tundhira umma l-qurā wa-man ḥawlahā wa-tundhira yawma l-jamʿi lā rayba fīhi, farīqun fī l-jannati wa-farīqun fī l-saʿīr.
"And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Quran so that you may warn the Mother of Cities and those around it, and warn of the Day of Gathering — about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blazing Fire." (al-Shūrā 42:7)
Wa-kadhālika awḥaynā ilayka — And in this way We have sent revelation to you — qurʾānan ʿarabiyyan — a Quran in the Arabic language — and its revelation is for this purpose: li-tundhira umma l-qurā — that you warn the people of Mecca. Umm al-qurā is the name for Mecca — it is the central axis of the world — wa-man ḥawlahā — and those people surrounding Mecca who dwell around it — and they recurrently come to Mecca. Wa-tundhira yawma l-jamʿ — and warn them of the Day of Gathering when all the people of the world will be assembled. Lā rayba fīh — there is no doubt about this — the coming of the Day of Judgement is certain. Farīqun fī l-jannati — one party will remain in Paradise — some will be of the people of Paradise. Wa-farīqun fī l-saʿīr — and one party will be in the Fire — some will be people of Hell burning in it.
Translation: And thus We have revealed to you the Quran in the Arabic language that you may warn the people of Mecca and those surrounding them — and warn them of the Day of Gathering, whose coming is beyond all doubt — one group will be in Paradise and one group (in Hell) in the blazing Fire.
وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَهُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن يُدْخِلُ مَن يَشَاءُ فِي رَحْمَتِهِ وَالظَّالِمُونَ مَا لَهُم مِّن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
Wa-law shāʾa llāhu la-jaʿalahum ummatan wāḥidatan wa-lākin yudkhilu man yashāʾu fī raḥmatihi, wa-l-ẓālimūna mā lahum min waliyyin wa-lā naṣīr.
"Had Allah willed, He could have made them a single community. But He admits whom He wills into His mercy, and for the wrongdoers there is no protecting friend nor helper." (al-Shūrā 42:8)
Wa-law shāʾa llāhu — and if Allah had willed — this was His will — la-jaʿalahum ummatan wāḥidatan — He would have made all of them a single community — He would have painted the world one colour, made good and evil the same — wa-lākin yudkhilu man yashāʾu fī raḥmatihi — but He admits into His mercy whom He wills — He enters His own mercy whom He wishes — wa-l-ẓālimūna — and the wrongdoers and sinners — mā lahum — for them there is nothing — min waliyyin wa-lā naṣīr — no protecting friend, no helper — no lover, no helper, no one to give affection, no one to provide support.
Translation: And if Allah had willed He would have made all into a single community — but He admits into His mercy whom He wishes — and for the wrongdoers there is no friend nor helper.
أَمِ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ فَاللَّهُ هُوَ الْوَلِيُّ وَهُوَ يُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Am ittakhadhū min dūnihi awliyāʾa, fa-llāhu huwa l-waliyyu wa-huwa yuḥyī l-mawtā wa-huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr.
"Or have they taken protectors other than Him? But Allah — He is the Protector, and He gives life to the dead, and He is over all things competent." (al-Shūrā 42:9)
Am ittakhadhū min dūnihi awliyāʾa — Or have those people taken others besides Allah as their friends and protectors? — fa-llāhu huwa l-waliyyu — but Allah is the true Protector —
Then Allah alone is the Friend and Maker of arrangements — wa-huwa yuḥyī l-mawtā — and He is the one who gives life to the dead — wa-huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr — and He is capable of everything.
Translation: Or have those people (besides Allah) taken others as their own friend — but Allah alone is the Friend and He gives life to the dead (He can revive the dead) and He is capable of all things.
وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ
Wa-mā khtalaftum fīhi min shayʾin fa-ḥukmuhu ilā llāh. Dhālikumu llāhu rabbī, ʿalayhi tawakkaltu wa-ilayhi unīb.
"And in whatever you differ, its judgement belongs to Allah. That is Allah, my Lord — in Him I put my trust, and to Him I turn in repentance." (al-Shūrā 42:10)
Wa-mā khtalaftum fīhi min shayʾin — And in whatever you differ — some say one thing, others say another — fa-ḥukmuhu ilā llāh — then its judgement and decision is with Allah — dhālikumu llāhu rabbī — that Allah is my Lord, my Cherisher, my Sustainer — ʿalayhi tawakkaltu — upon Him I place my complete reliance — upon Him is my trust — wa-ilayhi unīb — and to Him I turn in return — I turn toward Him in all my affairs — my repentance is towards Him.
Translation: And in whatever you differ, its decision is with Allah — He is my Lord, and I place my trust in Him, and my repentance and return is toward Him.
فَاطِرُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَمِنَ الْأَنْعَامِ أَزْوَاجًا يَذْرَؤُكُمْ فِيهِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
Fāṭiru l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ. Jaʿala lakum min anfusikum azwājā wa-mina l-anʿāmi azwājā. Yadhraʾukum fīh. Wa-huwa l-samīʿu l-baṣīr.
"Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you, from yourselves, spouses, and from the cattle, pairs — He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing." (al-Shūrā 42:11)
Fāṭiru l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — The Creator and Originator of the heavens and the earth — jaʿala lakum min anfusikum azwājā — He has created spouses for you from your own kind — created pairs among you — wa-mina l-anʿāmi azwājā — and from the cattle too He has created pairs. Yadhraʾukum fīhi — He multiplies you and the cattle through this arrangement — through this creation, through this planning — laysa ka-mithlihi shayʾun — there is nothing like Him — nothing resembling Him — wa-huwa l-samīʿu l-baṣīr — and He is the All-Hearing and All-Seeing — He hears and sees everything.
Translation: The Creator of the heavens and the earth — He has created spouses for you from your own kind and from the cattle He has created pairs — He multiplies your lineage through this planning. There is nothing like Him — and He hears and sees everything.
لَهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Lahu maqālīdu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ. Yabsuṭu l-rizqa li-man yashāʾu wa-yaqdiru. Innahu bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīm.
"His are the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it. Indeed, He is All-Knowing of all things." (al-Shūrā 42:12)
Lahu maqālīdu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — The keys of the heavens and the earth are in His hands — maqālīd means the assembled keys. A qilāda is a necklace — people take keys in their hands and hang them around their necks. Yabsuṭu l-rizqa — He extends the provision; for those He wishes He expands provision; wa-yaqdiru — and for those He wishes He straitens provision — innahu bi-kulli shayʾin ʿalīmun — He is well-acquainted with every thing; He knows the one who is truly deserving and gives to the non-deserving only a restricted measure.
Translation: The keys of the heavens and the earth are in His hands — He extends provision greatly for whoever He wishes and gives less to whoever He wishes — certainly He knows every thing (truly) well.
شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ
Sharaʿa lakum mina l-dīni mā waṣṣā bihi nūḥan wa-lladhī awḥaynā ilayka wa-mā waṣṣaynā bihi ibrāhīma wa-mūsā wa-ʿīsā an aqīmū l-dīna wa-lā tatafarraqū fīh. Kabura ʿalā l-mushrikīna mā tadʿūhum ilayh. Allāhu yajtabī ilayhi man yashāʾu wa-yahdī ilayhi man yunīb.
"He has ordained for you the same religion that He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We have revealed to you, and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus — to establish the religion and not to be divided in it. Grievous is it for the polytheists that to which you call them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns in repentance." (al-Shūrā 42:13)
Sharaʿa lakum mina l-dīn — He has ordained this religion for you — it is He who has instituted this path. Mā waṣṣā bihi nūḥan — what He commanded Nūḥ (upon him be peace) — wa-lladhī awḥaynā ilayka — and that which We revealed to you — wa-mā waṣṣaynā bihi ibrāhīma wa-mūsā wa-ʿīsā — and the command We gave to Ibrāhīm, Mūsā and ʿĪsā — what was the commandment? — an aqīmū l-dīna — that you establish the religion and uphold it — wa-lā tatafarraqū fīh — and do not break apart in it. Kabura ʿalā l-mushrikīna — this is a great burden upon the disbelievers and polytheists — mā tadʿūhum ilayhi — that to which you call them, that faith, that religion, that unity. Allāhu yajtabī ilayhi man yashāʾu — Allah draws to Himself whom He wills — He selects whom He wills for Himself — wa-yahdī ilayhi man yunīb — and He guides towards Him whoever turns in repentance — and toward Him whoever turns He guides.
Translation: He has ordained for you the same religion that was enjoined upon Nūḥ — and that which We have revealed to you, and the same commandment which We gave to Ibrāhīm and Mūsā and ʿĪsā — to establish the religion and not to be divided in it. This (religion calling to the unity of God) is a very great hardship for the polytheists — Allah draws to Himself whoever He wills, and He guides toward Himself whoever turns in repentance.
(Continuation of commentary on al-Shūrā 42:13 and transition to verse 14)
— and what was commanded, the wills He had given — and We also made the same commandment to you — to establish the religion of Allah's obedience — do not break in it. The way this religion of the unity of Allah is being called toward, those who make partners with it (Allah's command) are greatly displeased. Allah selects whom He wishes for Himself and guides whoever turns to Him toward Himself.
وَمَا تَفَرَّقُوا إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى لَّقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُورِثُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
Wa-mā tatafarraqū illā min baʿdi mā jāʾahumu l-ʿilmu baghyan baynahum. Wa-lawlā kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika ilā ajalin musamman la-quḍiya baynahum. Wa-inna lladhīna ūrithū l-kitāba min baʿdihim la-fī shakkin minhu murīb.
"And they did not divide except after knowledge had come to them — out of jealousy and enmity among themselves. Had a word not already been issued by your Lord until a specified term, the matter would have been decided between them. And indeed, those who inherited the Book after them are in disquieting doubt about it." (al-Shūrā 42:14)
Wa-mā tatafarraqū — And those people did not become divided — illā min baʿdi mā jāʾahumu l-ʿilm — except that knowledge came to them after which their division was complete — baghyan baynahum — out of mutual arrogance and the urge to oppose one another — purely due to insolence. Had a term not been fixed, wa-lawlā kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika — if a prior word from your Lord had not been fixed, timed and settled — ilā ajalin musamman — to a particular appointed time — la-quḍiya baynahum — then the matter between them would certainly have been decided — wa-inna lladhīna ūrithū l-kitāba — and those who became the inheritors of the Book — the heirs of the scriptures after the prophets — min baʿdihim — after them — la-fī shakkin minhu murīb — are in profound doubt, agitated at heart.
Translation: And these people did not become divided — but after knowledge had come to them it became complete through their mutual arrogance and self-seeking — if the Lord's directive for an appointed time had not been fixed, their matter would be decided — and those who became inheritors of the Book after those prophets are in great anxiety and doubt.
فَلِذَٰلِكَ فَادْعُ وَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ وَقُلْ آمَنتُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِن كِتَابٍ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ لَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ اللَّهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
Fa-li-dhālika fadʿu wa-staqim kamā umirta wa-lā tattabiʿ ahwāʾahum wa-qul āmantu bi-mā anzala llāhu min kitābin wa-umirtu li-aʿdila baynakum. Allāhu rabbunā wa-rabbukum, lanā aʿmālunā wa-lakum aʿmālukum, lā ḥujjata baynanā wa-baynakum. Allāhu yajmaʿu baynanā wa-ilayhi l-maṣīr.
"So to that, then invite, and stand firm as you have been commanded, and do not follow their vain desires. And say: 'I believe in whatever Book Allah has sent down, and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord — for us are our deeds and for you are your deeds. There is no argument between us and you — Allah will gather us together and to Him is the final destination.'" (al-Shūrā 42:15)
Fa-li-dhālika fadʿu — So for this reason summon them toward this — call them to the propagation of Islam and toward the truth — wa-staqim — and remain firm — stand firm on steadfastness — kamā umirta — just as you have been commanded — exactly as Allah has commanded you — wa-lā tattabiʿ ahwāʾahum — and do not follow their whims and desires, do not go after their vain caprice — wa-qul — and say: āmantu — I am a believer — bi-mā anzala llāhu min kitāb — I believe in every Book that Allah has sent — wa-umirtu li-aʿdila baynakum — and I have been given the command that I judge between you with justice and equity — allāhu rabbunā wa-rabbukum — Allah is our Lord and your Lord as well — lanā aʿmālunā — our deeds are for us — wa-lakum aʿmālukum — and your deeds are yours — the recompense for our deeds will come to us and for yours to you — lā ḥujjata baynanā wa-baynakum — there is no longer any argument and debate between us — Allah has already declared — allāhu yajmaʿu baynanā — Allah will assemble us together — He will gather us at one time — and He is the final destination of all.
Translation: So for this very reason (call toward the truth) propagate and maintain firm steadfastness — just as you have been commanded — and do not follow their whims and desires and declare: "I believe in every Book that Allah has sent," and I have been given the command that I act with justice and equity between you — Allah is our Lord and your Lord — our deeds belong to us and yours to you — there is no further argument and debate between us — Allah will gather us all at one time — and that is the final destination of everything.
وَالَّذِينَ يُحَاجُّونَ فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ حُجَّتُهُمْ دَاحِضَةٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ
Wa-lladhīna yuḥājjūna fī llāhi min baʿdi mā stujibalahu ḥujjatuhum dāḥiḍatun ʿinda rabbihim wa-ʿalayhim ghaḍabun wa-lahum ʿadhābun shadīd.
"And those who dispute concerning Allah after a response has been made to Him — their argument is refuted in the sight of their Lord, and upon them is wrath, and for them is a severe punishment." (al-Shūrā 42:16)
Wa-lladhīna yuḥājjūna fī llāh — And those people who argue and dispute repeatedly about Allah — they quarrel and wrangle — min baʿdi mā stujibalahu — after the command of Allah has been accepted — it has been taken as an accepted rule that — ḥujjatuhum dāḥiḍatun — their argument is entirely vain and refuted — it falls flat — ʿinda rabbihim — with their Lord. Wa-ʿalayhim ghaḍabun — and upon them is the wrath of Allah — wa-lahum ʿadhābun shadīdun — and for them is a most severe punishment.
Translation: And those people who continue to dispute about Allah after the divine command has been accepted as the rule — their every argument is vain and worthless before Allah — and upon them is Allah's wrath and for them is a very severe punishment.
اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ قَرِيبٌ
Allāhu lladhī anzala l-kitāba bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-l-mīzāna wa-mā yudrīka laʿalla l-sāʿata qarīb.
"It is Allah who sent down the Book with truth and the Balance. And what will make you realize that perhaps the Hour is near?" (al-Shūrā 42:17)
Allāhu lladhī anzala l-kitāba bi-l-ḥaqq — Allah it is who sent down the Book with truth — wa-l-mīzān — and the Balance, that is, the criterion for distinguishing truth from falsehood — the true religion, the truthful prophet. Wa-mā yudrīka — and you do not know — laʿalla l-sāʿata qarīb — perhaps the Hour of Resurrection is near. Here the door of repentance is being opened.
Translation: It is Allah who has sent down the Book with truth and the true religion — and you do not know — it is possible that the Hour of Resurrection is near.
يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا الْحَقُّ أَلَا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُمَارُونَ فِي السَّاعَةِ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ بَعِيدٍ
Yastaʿjilu bihā lladhīna lā yuʾminūna bihā wa-lladhīna āmanū mushfiqūna minhā wa-yaʿlamūna annahā l-ḥaqq. Alā inna lladhīna yumārūna fī l-sāʿati la-fī ḍalālin baʿīd.
"Those who do not believe in it seek to hasten it, while those who have believed are fearful of it and know it to be the truth. Verily, those who dispute about the Hour are in far-reaching error." (al-Shūrā 42:18)
Yastaʿjilu bihā — They demand it to come quickly; they hasten its arrival — they seek it in haste — al-ladhīna lā yuʾminūna bihā — those who have no certainty about it, those who do not believe in it — wa-l-ladhīna āmanū mushfiqūna minhā — and those who are believers are filled with apprehension and reverent fear of it — wa-yaʿlamūna annahā l-ḥaqq — and they are convinced and know that it is the truth — its coming is the truth. Alā inna lladhīna yumārūna fī l-sāʿah — Know indeed that those who dispute and quarrel about the Hour — la-fī ḍalālin baʿīd — are sunk in very deep misguidance — they are indeed greatly astray.
Translation: Those who have no certainty about the Hour demand it to come quickly, and the believers are filled with fear of it and know it to be the truth. Indeed! People who dispute and have doubt concerning the Hour are in great error and misguidance.
اللَّهُ لَطِيفٌ بِعِبَادِهِ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ الْقَوِيُّ الْعَزِيزُ
Allāhu laṭīfun bi-ʿibādihi yarzuqu man yashāʾu wa-huwa l-qawiyyu l-ʿazīz.
"Allah is gentle with His servants. He provides for whom He wills, and He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty." (al-Shūrā 42:19)
Allāhu laṭīfun bi-ʿibādih — Allah is gracious and gentle toward His servants; He is compassionate — He treats them with courtesy and kindness. Yarzuqu man yashāʾu — He provides provision for whoever He wills — He feeds whoever He wishes. Wa-huwa l-qawiyyu l-ʿazīz — and He is the All-Powerful and All-Mighty — power and honour both belong to Him.
Translation: Allah is greatly compassionate to His servants — He provides provision for whoever He wishes — and He is the possessor of power and honour.
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الْآخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُ فِي حَرْثِهِ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ
Man kāna yurīdu ḥartha l-ākhirati nazid lahu fī ḥarthih. Wa-man kāna yurīdu ḥartha l-dunyā nuʾtihi minhā wa-mā lahu fī l-ākhirati min naṣīb.
"Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter — We increase for him in his harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of this world — We give him of it, and he has no share in the Hereafter." (al-Shūrā 42:20)
Man kāna yurīdu ḥartha l-ākhira — Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter and works for it — nazid lahu fī ḥarthih — We increase for him in his harvest; we add growth to his field — wa-man kāna yurīdu ḥartha l-dunyā — and whoever desires the harvest of this world — has the intention of cultivating this world — nuʾtihi minhā — We give it to him in this world — wa-mā lahu fī l-ākhirati min naṣīb — and he has no share in the Hereafter.
Translation: Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter — We increase for him in his harvest — and whoever desires the harvest of this world — We also give it to him from it — and he has no share in the Hereafter.
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللَّهُ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةُ الْفَصْلِ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Am lahum shurakāʾu sharaʿū lahum mina l-dīni mā lam yaʾdhan bihi llāhu wa-lawlā kalimatu l-faṣli la-quḍiya baynahum. Wa-inna l-ẓālimīna lahum ʿadhābun alīm.
"Or have they partners who have ordained for them a religion which Allah has not permitted? Had the decisive word not come, the matter would have been settled between them. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment." (al-Shūrā 42:21)
Am lahum shurakāʾu — Or do those polytheists also have gods — sharaʿū lahum — who have instituted for them — mina l-dīn — in religion matters — mā lam yaʾdhan bihi llāh — that which Allah has not given permission for, has not approved — Allah has neither given permission for these words nor for these commands. Wa-lawlā kalimatu l-faṣl — and if the day and the Hour of Resurrection had not been fixed, there would be no fixed date — la-quḍiya baynahum — then their matter would certainly be decided — wa-inna l-ẓālimīna lahum ʿadhābun alīm — and indeed for those who are oppressors there is truly a painful punishment — an excruciating torment.
Translation: Or do those polytheists have some partners in religion who have produced for them matters that Allah has not approved — and if the decisive word for a set Day of Resurrection did not exist then their matter would be settled — and indeed for wrongdoers there is certainly a painful punishment.
تَرَى الظَّالِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا وَهُوَ وَاقِعٌ بِهِمْ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فِي رَوْضَاتِ الْجَنَّاتِ لَهُمْ مَّا يَشَاءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ
Tarā l-ẓālimīna mushfiqīna mimmā kasabū wa-huwa wāqiʿun bihim. Wa-lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti fī rawḍāti l-jannāti lahum mā yashāʾūna ʿinda rabbihim, dhālika huwa l-faḍlu l-kabīr.
"You will see the wrongdoers fearful of what they have earned, while it is certain to befall them. And those who have believed and done righteous deeds will be in lush meadows of the Gardens — for them is whatever they wish in the presence of their Lord. That is the great bounty." (al-Shūrā 42:22)
Tarā l-ẓālimīna — You will see the wrongdoers — mushfiqīna mimmā kasabū — terrified of their own evil deeds — wa-huwa wāqiʿun bihim — and it will certainly fall upon them — the punishment of their misdeeds will inevitably descend. Wa-lladhīna āmanū — and those who are believers — wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāt — and perform righteous deeds — fī rawḍāti l-jannāt — they will remain in the gardens of Paradise — lahum mā yashāʾūna ʿinda rabbihim — for them is whatever they desire with their Lord — whatever they ask, Allah will grant — dhālika huwa l-faḍlu l-kabīr — this is Allah's great bounty and generosity.
Translation: You will see the wrongdoers terrified of their evil deeds — and it will certainly fall upon them — and believers and those who do good deeds will remain in the gardens of Paradise — Allah will grant them whatever they wish — this is immense bounty and generosity.
(Continuation of commentary on al-Shūrā 42:22 and the subsequent verse)
Wāqiʿun bihim — and its punishment will certainly and inevitably befall them. And those who are believers and perform righteous deeds — they will remain in the gardens of Paradise — whatever they desire, Allah will grant them with their Lord — dhālika huwa l-faḍlu l-kabīr — this is Allah's great bounty and generosity.
ذَٰلِكَ الَّذِي يُبَشِّرُ اللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَّزِدْ لَهُ فِيهَا حُسْنًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
Dhālika lladhī yubashshiru llāhu ʿibādahu lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāt. Qul lā asʾalukum ʿalayhi ajran illā l-mawaddata fī l-qurbā. Wa-man yaqtarif ḥasanatan nazid lahu fīhā ḥusnā. Inna llāha ghafūrun shakūr.
"That is what Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say: I ask of you for this no reward except love for my near kinsmen. And whoever performs a good deed — We increase for him in it goodness. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Appreciative." (al-Shūrā 42:23)
Dhālika lladhī yubashshiru llāhu ʿibādahu — This is what Allah gives glad tidings to His servants — ʿibādah — His servants — He gives them glad tidings — who are these servants? Those who have faith and do good deeds. Qul lā asʾalukum ʿalayhi ajran — say to them (O Prophet ﷺ): I do not ask of you for this any compensation or reward — illā l-mawaddata fī l-qurbā — except love for the near ones — but love for the near of kin, which truly means the love of Allah — and through this love the mutual human compassion and affinity with one's own kind comes. Wa-man yaqtarif ḥasanatan — and whoever performs a good deed — nazid lahu fīhā ḥusnā — We increase it for him in goodness; for whatever is done in goodness We increase it more and more in the Hereafter — inna llāha ghafūrun shakūr — indeed Allah truly forgives and is grateful — He forgives and shows gratitude — He is the Forgiver of sins and worthy of all praise.
Translation: This is what Allah gives glad tidings to His servants who keep faith and do good deeds — say: I do not ask any reward from you for this (conveying the divine message) except love for the near kinsmen — and whoever does good, We increase goodness for him therein — indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving and All-Appreciative.
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا فَإِن يَشَأِ اللَّهُ يَخْتِمْ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ
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أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا فَإِن يَشَأِ اللَّهُ يَخْتِمْ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ وَيَمْحُ اللَّهُ الْبَاطِلَ وَيُحِقُّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ
Am yaqūlūna ftarā ʿalā llāhi kadhiban fa-in yashāʾi llāhu yakhtim ʿalā qalbika wa-yamḥu llāhu l-bāṭila wa-yuḥiqqu l-ḥaqqa bi-kalimātih. Innahu ʿalīmun bi-dhāti l-ṣudūr.
"Or do they say: He has fabricated a lie against Allah? If Allah willed, He could seal your heart. Allah blots out falsehood and establishes the truth by His words. Indeed, He is All-Knowing of what lies within the breasts." (al-Shūrā 42:24)
Am yaqūlūna — Or do these people say — iftarā ʿalā llāhi kadhiban — that the Prophet ﷺ is fabricating lies against Allah, slandering Him? — fa-in yashāʾi llāhu yakhtim ʿalā qalbika — then if Allah wills, He can seal your heart — wa-yamḥu llāhu l-bāṭil — and Allah nullifies and wipes out falsehood — wa-yuḥiqqu l-ḥaqq — and establishes and confirms the truth — bi-kalimātih — through His words, through His arguments and His own revelations — innahu ʿalīmun bi-dhāti l-ṣudūr — He is without doubt the All-Knowing of the secrets of hearts — He is the great Keeper of all secrets, well-acquainted with the hidden thoughts of hearts and minds.
Translation: Or do those people say that the Prophet has fabricated lies against Allah — then if Allah wills He can seal your heart — and Allah renders falsehood void and establishes the truth through His words (His own revelations and arguments) — certainly He knows all the secrets of every heart well.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَعْفُو عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
Wa-huwa lladhī yaqbalu l-tawbata ʿan ʿibādihi wa-yaʿfū ʿani l-sayyiʾāti wa-yaʿlamu mā tafʿalūn.
"And He it is who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons misdeeds, and He knows what you do." (al-Shūrā 42:25)
Wa-huwa lladhī yaqbalu l-tawbata ʿan ʿibādih — And He is the one who accepts the repentance of His servants — He accepts the repentance of His servants — wa-yaʿfū ʿani l-sayyiʾāt — and He pardons their misdeeds — wa-yaʿlamu mā tafʿalūn — and He knows whatever you do — everything you do, He is fully aware.
Translation: And it is He who accepts the repentance of His servants and pardons misdeeds (sins) — and He knows everything you do well.
وَيَسْتَجِيبُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ وَالْكَافِرُونَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ
Wa-yastajību lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti wa-yazīduhum min faḍlih. Wa-l-kāfirūna lahum ʿadhābun shadīd.
"And He responds to those who believe and do righteous deeds, and increases them from His bounty. And for the disbelievers there is a severe punishment." (al-Shūrā 42:26)
Wa-yastajību — and He answers prayers and supplications — He accepts invocations — but for whom? Al-ladhīna āmanū — for those who keep faith — wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāt — and do good deeds — wa-yazīduhum min faḍlih — and He increases them from His bounty — He gives them more and more from His own grace — wa-l-kāfirūna lahum ʿadhābun shadīd — and for the disbelievers there is a severe punishment — for the disbelievers there is a crushing torment.
Translation: And He accepts the supplications of those who keep faith and do good deeds (He hears their prayers) and increases for them from His own bounty — and for the disbelievers there is a most severe punishment.
وَلَوْ بَسَطَ اللَّهُ الرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهِ لَبَغَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِن يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَاءُ إِنَّهُ بِعِبَادِهِ خَبِيرٌ بَصِيرٌ
Wa-law basaṭa llāhu l-rizqa li-ʿibādihi la-baghaw fī l-arḍ. Wa-lākin yunazzilu bi-qadarin mā yashāʾ. Innahu bi-ʿibādihi khabīrun baṣīr.
"And if Allah were to extend provision for His servants, they would surely transgress throughout the land. But He sends it down by measure, as He wills. Indeed, He is of His servants All-Aware, All-Seeing." (al-Shūrā 42:27)
Wa-law basaṭa llāhu l-rizq — And if Allah were to expand provision to excess, to create abundance — li-ʿibādih — for His servants — they would become rebellious — la-baghaw fī l-arḍ — they would turn insolent and rise up in transgression — wa-lākin yunazzilu bi-qadar — but He sends it down in measure — He gives as much as He wills — mā yashāʾ — as much as is appropriate — innahu bi-ʿibādihi khabīrun baṣīr — He is well-acquainted with His servants and observes them — He knows the measure of their capacity and sees them — He is without doubt aware and observant of their condition.
Translation: And if Allah were to give His servants provision beyond measure they would become rebellious and insolent in the land — but Allah gives in the measure He wishes — certainly Allah keeps watch over His servants, is aware of their condition.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا وَيَنشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُ وَهُوَ الْوَلِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ
Wa-huwa lladhī yunazzilu l-ghaytha min baʿdi mā qanatū wa-yanshuru raḥmatahu wa-huwa l-waliyyu l-ḥamīd.
"And He it is who sends down the rain after they have despaired, and spreads His mercy. And He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy." (al-Shūrā 42:28)
Wa-huwa lladhī yunazzilu l-ghayth — And He is the one who sends down rain — al-ghayth — in the original means rain. The word sayyid was its original form, then taʿlīl from ghayth made it takhfīf — ghayth is what the Arabs call only the rain that falls after necessity — as if rain cries out from desperation. Min baʿdi mā qanatū — from after their despair — after people's dejection — after losing hope they think they will never hope again. Wa-yanshuru raḥmatah — and He spreads His mercy outward — wa-huwa l-waliyyu l-ḥamīd — and He is the Protector and the Maker of arrangements — He is praiseworthy — worthy of all praise.
Translation: And it is He who sends down the hopeful rain after despair and spreads His mercy — and He is the Praiseworthy.
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَثَّ فِيهِمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ جَمْعِهِمْ إِذَا يَشَاءُ قَدِيرٌ
Wa-min āyātihi khalqu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-mā baththa fīhimā min dābbah. Wa-huwa ʿalā jamʿihim idhā yashāʾu qadīr.
"And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and all the creatures He has spread throughout them. And He is capable of gathering them whenever He wills." (al-Shūrā 42:29)
Wa-min āyātih — And among His signs and marks of power —
khalqu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — the creation of the heavens and earth — wa-mā baththa fīhimā min dābbah — and those creatures spread throughout the heavens and earth — dābbah means creature — dabbata l-arḍ (tank) — dabbūba — the crawling of the ant, the movement of an insect — dābbatu l-arḍ — a type of creature the size of a tank — the movement of a small creature — wa-huwa ʿalā jamʿihim — and He is capable of gathering them all — idhā yashāʾu qadīrun — whenever He wills He has power.
Translation: And among His signs of power is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and spreading creatures between them — and He can gather all people whenever He wills.
وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ
Wa-mā aṣābakum min muṣībatin fa-bi-mā kasabat aydīkum wa-yaʿfū ʿan kathīr.
"And whatever misfortune befalls you is for what your hands have earned, and He pardons much." (al-Shūrā 42:30)
Wa-mā aṣābakum min muṣībah — And whatever misfortune reaches you — you are touched by no misfortune — fa-bi-mā kasabat aydīkum — it is a result of your own deeds — it is the consequence of your misdeeds — wa-yaʿfū ʿan kathīr — and He pardons a great many — and He overlooks many matters for them.
Translation: And whatever misfortune reaches you — it is your own deeds that brought it — but He forgives many matters though.
وَمَا أَنتُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
Wa-mā antum bi-muʿjizīna fī l-arḍ wa-mā lakum min dūni llāhi min waliyyin wa-lā naṣīr.
"And you are not those who can escape on earth, and you have no protector nor helper apart from Allah." (al-Shūrā 42:31)
Wa-mā antum bi-muʿjizīn — And you are not able to escape Allah — fī l-arḍ — in the earth — you cannot run away and flee on the earth, you cannot escape the reach of Allah's power — you cannot incapacitate Him — wa-mā lakum min dūni llāh — and you have no one besides Allah — min waliyyin wa-lā naṣīr — no protecting friend, no helper — no companion other than Allah.
Translation: And you cannot run away anywhere on earth and escape incapacitating Allah — and apart from Allah there is no friend nor helper for you.
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ الْجَوَارِ فِي الْبَحْرِ كَالْأَعْلَامِ
Wa-min āyātihi l-jawāri fī l-baḥri ka-l-aʿlām.
"And among His signs are the ships sailing in the sea like mountains." (al-Shūrā 42:32)
Wa-min āyātih — And among His signs is this — al-jawāri — in the original: al-jawārī — ships, sailing vessels — fī l-baḥr — in the sea — ka-l-aʿlām — like mountains. The Arabs say "flān tūflān pāhāṛ" (lit. such-and-such mountain) — meaning enormous objects.
Translation: And among His signs of power are ships sailing in the sea like mountains.
إِن يَشَأْ يُسْكِنِ الرِّيحَ فَيَظْلَلْنَ رَوَاكِدَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
In yashāʾ yuskini l-rīḥa fa-yaẓlalna rawākida ʿalā ẓahrih. Inna fī dhālika la-āyātin li-kulli ṣabbārin shakūr.
"If He wills, He can still the wind so they become motionless on its surface. Indeed in that are signs for every patient, grateful one." (al-Shūrā 42:33)
In yashāʾ yuskini l-rīḥ — And if Allah wills, He can stop the wind, calm and arrest it — fa-yaẓlalna rawākida — then the ships will come to a standstill — staying still on the surface of the sea — ʿalā ẓahrih — upon the back of the sea. Inna fī dhālika la-āyāt — these are certainly divine signs — li-kulli ṣabbārin shakūr — for every patient and grateful person — for every person who reflects with patience and gratitude and thanks Allah for His blessings.
Translation: If Allah wills He can stop the wind and the ships will come to a standstill on the sea — certainly this is a sign (of divine power) for every patient and grateful person.
أَوْ يُوبِقْهُنَّ بِمَا كَسَبُوا وَيَعْفُ عَن كَثِيرٍ
Aw yūbiqhunna bi-mā kasabū wa-yaʿfu ʿan kathīr.
"Or He can destroy them for what they have earned — while He pardons many." (al-Shūrā 42:34)
Aw yūbiqhunna — Or He can destroy them — bi-mā kasabū — because of the misdeeds they have committed — and their bad deeds are the cause. Wa-yaʿfu ʿan kathīr — and He overlooks many matters — and He overlooks many things.
Translation: Or He can destroy them because of their deeds — or He forgives many of their misdeeds.
وَيَعْلَمَ الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِنَا مَا لَهُم مِّن مَّحِيصٍ
Wa-yaʿlama lladhīna yujādilūna fī āyātinā mā lahum min maḥīṣ.
"And so that those who dispute about Our signs may know that there is no escape for them." (al-Shūrā 42:35)
Wa-yaʿlama lladhīna yujādilūna — And so that it becomes known — those people who argue and dispute — who quarrel — fī āyātinā — about our divine signs — in our signs of power — mā lahum min maḥīṣ — there is no place of escape for them — they cannot flee — there is no rescue for them, no way of escape.
Translation: And those who argue and debate about our signs should know well that they can never escape from our hands.
فَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
Fa-mā ūtītum min shayʾin fa-matāʿu l-ḥayāti l-dunyā wa-mā ʿinda llāhi khayrun wa-abqā li-lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿalā rabbihim yatawakkalūn.
"So whatever you have been given is but the enjoyment of the life of this world, and what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and in their Lord they put their trust." (al-Shūrā 42:36)
Fa-mā ūtītum min shayʾ — So whatever you have been given — fa-matāʿu l-ḥayāti l-dunyā — it is the enjoyment of worldly life — it is the perishable goods of worldly life — wa-mā ʿinda llāhi khayrun wa-abqā — and what is with Allah is far better and more lasting — li-lladhīna āmanū — for those who maintain faith — wa-ʿalā rabbihim yatawakkalūn — and place their trust in their Lord — and rely upon their Lord — all their affairs they place in His hands.
Fa-matāʿu l-ḥayāti l-dunyā — So it is the perishable enjoyment of worldly life — just a few days' entertainment and transient gain. Wa-mā ʿinda llāh — and what is with Allah is far better — and more lasting — wa-abqā — more enduring — for those who keep faith — but for whom? Li-lladhīna āmanū — for those who maintain faith — wa-ʿalā rabbihim yatawakkalūn — and place their trust in their Lord — they keep reliance — all their matters they leave in His hands.
Translation: So whatever you have been given is but the perishable enjoyment of worldly life — and what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in Allah.
وَالَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُوا هُمْ يَغْفِرُونَ
Wa-lladhīna yajtanibūna kabāʾira l-ithmi wa-l-fawāḥisha wa-idhā mā ghaḍibū hum yaghfirūn.
"And those who avoid the major sins and indecencies, and when they become angry, they forgive." (al-Shūrā 42:37)
Wa-lladhīna yajtanibūna — And those people who keep away from — they abstain — kabāʾira l-ithm — from major sins — from great sins — wa-l-fawāḥish — and from indecencies, shameful acts — from immoral deeds — wa-idhā mā ghaḍibū — and when anger comes over them — when they feel wrath and anger — hum yaghfirūn — they forgive — they grant pardon and forgiveness.
Translation: And those people who avoid major sins and indecencies and when anger comes over them they give forgiveness and pardon.
وَالَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
Wa-lladhīna stajabu li-rabbihim wa-aqāmū l-ṣalāta wa-amruhum shūrā baynahum wa-mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn.
"And those who respond to their Lord and establish prayer, and whose affair is by mutual consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them they spend." (al-Shūrā 42:38)
Wa-lladhīna stajabu li-rabbihim — And those people who accept the commands of their Lord — wa-aqāmū l-ṣalāt — and they establish the prayer — wa-amruhum shūrā baynahum — and their matters they conduct through mutual consultation — their work is done through the counsel of others — wa-mimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūn — and they spend from what We have bestowed upon them — our bestowed gifts are disbursed — they give from our provision to others — they give to others from what We have granted.
Translation: And those people who accept their Lord's commands and establish the prayer — and all their matters are done through consultation — and from what We have given them they give to others.
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَهُمُ الْبَغْيُ هُمْ يَنتَصِرُونَ
Wa-lladhīna idhā aṣābahumu l-baghyu hum yantaṣirūn.
"And those who, when tyranny strikes them, take revenge." (al-Shūrā 42:39)
Wa-lladhīna idhā aṣābahumu l-baghyu — And those people when oppression strikes them — when enemies inflict tyranny upon them — the big insolence. Hum yantaṣirūna — they in return also take them on — they gain revenge from them.
Translation: And those people when tyranny is inflicted upon them (they take revenge on the tyrants) then they too gain revenge from them.
وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
Wa-jazāʾu sayyiʾatin sayyiʾatun mithluhā fa-man ʿafā wa-aṣlaḥa fa-ajruhu ʿalā llāh. Innahu lā yuḥibbu l-ẓālimīn.
"And the recompense of an evil deed is an evil the like thereof; but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation — his reward is upon Allah. Indeed, He does not like the wrongdoers." (al-Shūrā 42:40)
Wa-jazāʾu sayyiʾatin — And the recompense of an evil — the like of bad, an evil alike to the same — sayyiʾatun mithluhā — a similar evil in return — the exact like of a wrong, the very same kind of harm — fa-man ʿafā — then whoever forgives the wrongdoer — wa-aṣlaḥa — and makes reconciliation — fa-ajruhu ʿalā llāh — then his reward is the responsibility of Allah — innahu lā yuḥibbu l-ẓālimīn — without doubt Allah does not love wrongdoers — He is not pleased with tyrants.
Translation: And the recompense of an evil is its like in evil — then whoever forgives and makes reconciliation its reward is Allah's responsibility — without doubt He (Allah) does not love wrongdoers.
وَلَمَنِ انتَصَرَ بَعْدَ ظُلْمِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ مَا عَلَيْهِم مِّن سَبِيلٍ
Wa-la-man intaṣara baʿda ẓulmihi fa-ūlāʾika mā ʿalayhim min sabīl.
"And indeed, whoever takes revenge after having been wronged — those have no blame upon them." (al-Shūrā 42:41)
Wa-la-man intaṣara baʿda ẓulmih — And whoever takes revenge after that — that he has been wronged — ẓalamahu ẓalamahu yaẓlimu ẓulman — wrong was done to him — he remained oppressed — baʿda ẓulmih — after his oppression — fa-ūlāʾika mā ʿalayhim min sabīl — on such people there is no objection — no blame — no accusation.
Translation: And those who take revenge after having been subjected to oppression — no obligation can be laid upon them.
إِنَّمَا السَّبِيلُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ النَّاسَ وَيَبْغُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Innamā l-sabīlu ʿalā lladhīna yaẓlimūna l-nāsa wa-yabghūna fī l-arḍi bi-ghayri l-ḥaqq. Ūlāʾika lahum ʿadhābun alīm.
"The blame is only upon those who wrong people and transgress in the land without right. Those will have a painful punishment." (al-Shūrā 42:42)
Innamā l-sabīlu ʿalā lladhīna yaẓlimūna — The blame falls upon those who oppress others — it is their fault. Al-nās — upon people — wa-yabghūna fī l-arḍ — and they spread transgression in the land — bi-ghayri l-ḥaqq — without right — unjust — ūlāʾika lahum ʿadhābun alīm — for those is a painful punishment — for those people there is a grievous torment.
Translation: The blame is upon those who oppress others in the land and spread transgression unjustly — for them there is certainly a painful punishment.
وَلَمَن صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ
Wa-la-man ṣabara wa-ghafara inna dhālika la-min ʿazmi l-umūr.
"And indeed, whoever is patient and forgives — indeed, that is among the matters of steadfast resolve." (al-Shūrā 42:43)
Wa-la-man ṣabara wa-ghafara — And whoever is patient — and then forgives — raising the wrongs of others and granting forgiveness — inna dhālika la-min ʿazmi l-umūr — without doubt this is among the works of exalted resolve — this is certainly the task of the people of great resolution.
Translation: And whoever shows patience and grants forgiveness — this is the task of the people of great resolve.
وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن وَلِيٍّ مِّن بَعْدِهِ وَتَرَى الظَّالِمِينَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا الْعَذَابَ يَقُولُونَ هَلْ إِلَىٰ مَرَدٍّ مِّن سَبِيلٍ
Wa-man yuḍlili llāhu fa-mā lahu min waliyyin min baʿdih. Wa-tarā l-ẓālimīna lammā raʾawu l-ʿadhāba yaqūlūna hal ilā marardin min sabīl.
"And he whom Allah leads astray — for him there is no protector after Him. And you will see the wrongdoers, when they see the punishment, saying: Is there any way to return?" (al-Shūrā 42:44)
Wa-man yuḍlili llāhu — And whoever Allah leads astray — whomever Allah desires to lead astray — fa-mā lahu min waliyyin — then his protecting friend is no one — min baʿdih — setting Allah aside — no one is his helper or maker of arrangements — wa-tarā l-ẓālimīna — and you will see the wrongdoers — when you see them — lammā raʾawu l-ʿadhāb — when they see the punishment — yaqūlūna — they will say — hal ilā marardin min sabīl — is there any way of return? Is there any means of returning — is there any possibility, in any form, of going back to the world?
Translation: And whoever Allah leads astray — there is no friend of his — (no protector) — You will see wrongdoers, when they see the punishment, saying: "Is there any way for us to return to the world?"
وَتَرَاهُمْ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا خَاشِعِينَ مِنَ الذُّلِّ يَنظُرُونَ مِن طَرْفٍ خَفِيٍّ وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ الْخَاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَلَا إِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ فِي عَذَابٍ مُّقِيمٍ
Wa-tarāhum yuʿraḍūna ʿalayhā khāshiʿīna mina l-dhulli yanẓurūna min ṭarfin khafiyy. Wa-qāla lladhīna āmanū inna l-khāsirīna lladhīna khasirū anfusahum wa-ahlīhim yawma l-qiyāmah. Alā inna l-ẓālimīna fī ʿadhābin muqīm.
"And you will see them being presented before it, humbled from disgrace, looking from a stealthy glance. And those who believed will say: Indeed, the losers are those who have lost themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, the wrongdoers are in an enduring punishment." (al-Shūrā 42:45)
Wa-tarāhum — and you will see them — yuʿraḍūna ʿalayhā — they will be brought to the Fire — Hell will be presented to them — khāshiʿīna mina l-dhulli — humbled from the abasement and disgrace — bowed down in submission and humility — yanẓurūna min ṭarfin khafiyy — looking with a stealthy hidden glance — barely opening their eyes. Wa-qāla lladhīna āmanū — and the believers will say — inna l-khāsirīna — those are truly the losers — alladhīna khasirū anfusahum wa-ahlīhim — those who have sold themselves and their own relations at a loss — yawma l-qiyāmah — on the Day of Resurrection. Alā inna l-ẓālimīna fī ʿadhābin muqīm — Indeed the wrongdoers — polytheists and disbelievers — are in everlasting punishment.
(Continuation of the commentary on al-Shūrā 42:45)
The punishment of Hell is its inevitable consequence — it is because of this that it tends towards the side of ḍamīr (inner conscience). The custom among the Arabs is to say: "Return and bow — take a cup of wine." In this way, turning towards the side of ḍamīr — khāshiʿīna mina l-dhull — humbled in abasement and humility — bowed down in submission — those filled with shame and weakness — yanẓurūna min ṭarfin khafiyy — looking from a barely visible glance — their eyes barely open. And at that time believers will say: truly the greatest losers are those people — alladhīna khasirū anfusahum wa-ahlīhim — who sold themselves and their near ones at a great loss — their families and relatives on the Day of Resurrection — yawma l-qiyāmah — on the Day of Resurrection. Heed! Wrongdoers are in everlasting punishment — polytheists and disbelievers are held captive in permanent torment.
Translation: And (you! the addressed person) you will see those people that they are being presented before the fire of Hell with bowed heads in disgrace — and looking with downcast eyes — and at that time believers will say: truly the people who sold themselves (with disbelief) and their relatives at a great loss are the greatest losers — on the Day of Resurrection — yes — wrongdoers are in permanent everlasting punishment.
وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ يَنصُرُونَهُمْ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن سَبِيلٍ
Wa-mā kāna lahum min awliyāʾa yanṣurūnahum min dūni llāh. Wa-man yuḍlili llāhu fa-mā lahu min sabīl.
"And they had no protectors to help them apart from Allah. And he whom Allah leads astray — for him there is no way." (al-Shūrā 42:46)
Wa-mā kāna lahum min awliyāʾa — And their helpers were not there — they had no supporters — yanṣurūnahum — to help them — min dūni llāh — setting aside Allah — wa-man yuḍlili llāhu fa-mā lahu min sabīl — and whoever Allah leads astray — fa-mā lahu min sabīl — there is no way of salvation for him — no straight path for him.
Translation: And no protector will come to their aid apart from Allah — and whoever Allah leads astray there is no way of salvation for him.
اسْتَجِيبُوا لِرَبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكُم مِّن مَّلْجَإٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّكِيرٍ
Istajibu li-rabbikum min qabli an yaʾtiya yawmun lā maradda lahu mina llāh. Mā lakum min maljaʾin yawmaʾidhin wa-mā lakum min nakīr.
"Respond to your Lord before a Day comes which, from Allah, there is no averting. You will have no refuge on that Day, and you will have no denial." (al-Shūrā 42:47)
Istajibu li-rabbikum — Respond to your Lord — accept your Lord's commands — obey them — give answers in acknowledgment. Min qabli an yaʾtiya yawm — before that day comes — lā maradda lahu mina llāh — that from Allah there is no turning back of the Day — no possibility of turning it back from Allah's power — there is no place to flee — mā lakum min maljaʾin yawmaʾidh — on that Day there will be no refuge or shelter for you — wa-mā lakum min nakīr — and there will be no denial or repudiation for you — on that Day you cannot disown your deeds.
Translation: Accept your Lord's commands before that Day comes whose arrival from Allah no one can prevent — on that Day there will be no refuge nor shelter for you (and no place to flee) and you will not be able to disown (your deeds either).
فَإِن أَعْرَضُوا فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا إِنْ عَلَيْكَ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ وَإِنَّا إِذَا أَذَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً فَرِحَ بِهَا وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَإِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ كَفُورٌ
Fa-in aʿraḍū fa-mā arsalnāka ʿalayhim ḥafīẓā. In ʿalayka illā l-balāgh. Wa-innā idhā adhaqnā l-insāna minnā raḥmatan fariḥa bihā. Wa-in tuṣibhum sayyiʾatun bi-mā qaddamat aydīhim fa-inna l-insāna kafūr.
"But if they turn away — We have not sent you as a guardian over them. Your duty is only to convey. And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it. But if misfortune strikes them for what their hands have put forth — then indeed, man is very ungrateful." (al-Shūrā 42:48)
Fa-in aʿraḍū — Then if they turn away, turn around, show indifference, and do not accept — fa-mā arsalnāka ʿalayhim ḥafīẓā — then We have not sent you as a guardian over them — you are not obligated to guard them — in ʿalayka illā l-balāgh — your only duty is to convey — simply to convey (the message), bring it to them — wa-innā idhā adhaqnā l-insāna — and this is the way of this world — when We cause the human being to taste — minnā raḥmatan — a mercy from Us — fariḥa bihā — he is greatly happy — he becomes very elated — great joy and happiness come over him. Wa-in tuṣibhum sayyiʾatun — and if some misfortune reaches them — bi-mā qaddamat aydīhim — because of what their own hands sent forward — for this reason that they themselves have done it — fa-inna l-insāna kafūr — then indeed the human being is very ungrateful — he is a great ingrate.
Translation: Then if those people do not accept and turn away — We have not sent you as their guardian — your only duty is to convey (the message) — and when We make the human being taste a mercy from Us he is very happy (great happiness comes to him) and if some misfortune also reaches him for what his own hands sent forward — then the human being is a great ingrate.
لِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ إِنَاثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ الذُّكُورَ
Lillāhi mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ. Yakhluqu mā yashāʾ. Yahabu li-man yashāʾu ināthan wa-yahabu li-man yashāʾu l-dhukūr.
"To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He gives to whom He wills females, and He gives to whom He wills males." (al-Shūrā 42:49)
Lillāhi mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — The sovereignty and dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah — yakhluqu mā yashāʾu — He creates whatever He wills — He creates whatever He wishes. Yahabu li-man yashāʾu ināthan — He gives daughters to whoever He wills — wa-yahabu li-man yashāʾu l-dhukūr — and He gives sons to whoever He wishes.
Translation: The sovereignty of the heavens and earth belongs to Allah — He creates whatever He wills — He gives daughters to whoever He wishes and gives sons to whoever He wishes.
أَوْ يُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَانًا وَإِنَاثًا وَيَجْعَلُ مَن يَشَاءُ عَقِيمًا إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ
Aw yuzawwijuhum dhukrānan wa-ināthan wa-yajʿalu man yashāʾu ʿaqīmā. Innahu ʿalīmun qadīr.
"Or He couples them, male and female, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful." (al-Shūrā 42:50)
Aw yuzawwijuhum — Or He gives them in pairs — both males and females together — dhukrānan — plural of male — wa-ināthan — plural of female — male and female — wa-yajʿalu man yashāʾu ʿaqīmā — and He gives in pairs to male and female — wa-yajʿalu man yashāʾu ʿaqīmā — and whomever He wishes He renders childless. Innahu ʿalīmun qadīrun — indeed He is All-Knowing and All-Powerful — certainly He knows everything and is All-Powerful. He knows the measure of it all — this is indeed the quality of His power — some are good, some are bad — some are male, some are female — some are parents, some are childless.
Translation: Or He gives both males and females together (to some parents) and whomever He wishes He renders childless — without doubt He has knowledge and power.
وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِن وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِيَ بِإِذْنِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ إِنَّهُ عَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ
Wa-mā kāna li-basharin an yukallimahu llāhu illā waḥyan aw min warāʾi ḥijābin aw yursila rasūlan fa-yūḥiya bi-idhnihi mā yashāʾ. Innahu ʿaliyyun ḥakīm.
"And it is not possible for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger to reveal by His permission what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High, Most Wise." (al-Shūrā 42:51)
Wa-mā kāna li-bashar — And it is not possible — it is not within the capacity of any human being to bear it — an yukallimahu llāhu — that Allah speaks with him — illā waḥyan — except through revelation — the divine illumination through inspiration in the manner of ilhām — in the colour of ilqāʾ — aw min warāʾi ḥijāb — or from behind a veil, from behind the curtain, in an inner form — aw yursila rasūlā — or He sends some messenger —
some messenger — fa-yūḥiya bi-idhnihi — then He sends revelation through Allah's command — mā yashāʾu — whatever Allah wills He conveys — innahu ʿaliyyun ḥakīmun — certainly He is the Most High and possessor of wisdom — He is of the most exalted rank and possessor of wisdom.
Translation: And it is not possible for any person that Allah can speak with him except through revelation or behind a veil — or He sends a messenger and through that messenger He conveys whatever He wishes — certainly Allah is of the highest rank and possessor of wisdom.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَٰكِن جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِي بِهِ مَن نَّشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Wa-kadhālika awḥaynā ilayka rūḥan min amrinā. Mā kunta tadrī mā l-kitābu wa-lā l-īmān. Wa-lākin jaʿalnāhu nūran nahdī bihi man nashāʾu min ʿibādinā wa-innaka la-tahdī ilā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm.
"And thus We have revealed to you a Spirit of Our command. You did not know what the Book was, nor what faith was. But We made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, you surely guide to a straight path." (al-Shūrā 42:52)
Wa-kadhālika awḥaynā ilayka — And in this way We also sent revelation to you in the same manner as to other prophets — rūḥan min amrinā — the Quran, which is like a living soul — mā kunta tadrī — you did not know — mā l-kitābu wa-lā l-īmān — what is the Book and what is faith — darā — knowing — wa-lākin jaʿalnāhu nūran — but We made the Quran a light — this is a book of light — nahdī bihi — through it We guide — man nashāʾu — whoever We will — min ʿibādinā — from among Our servants — wa-innaka la-tahdī ilā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm — and you also certainly guide toward the straight path — the ṣirāṭ mustaqīm is the path of the straight road.
Translation: And in this way We sent a living soul (the Quran was like this) from Our command — you did not know what a Book was and what faith was — and We made this Quran a light by which We guide whoever We wish among Our servants — and you too must surely guide to the Straight Path (point out the straight road).
صِرَاطِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَلَا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَصِيرُ الْأُمُورُ
Ṣirāṭi llāhi lladhī lahu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍ. Alā ilā llāhi taṣīru l-umūr.
"The path of Allah, to whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Indeed, to Allah do all matters return." (al-Shūrā 42:53)
Ṣirāṭi llāhi lladhī — What is the Straight Path? — ṣirāṭu llāhi lladhī — it is the path of Allah — whose is it? Lahu mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍ — to whom belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth — whose possession this is. Alā ilā llāhi taṣīru l-umūr — Listen! All matters return to Allah — the conclusion of all matters is toward Him — yes! Their conclusion is toward Him.
Translation: It is the path of Allah — who possesses all that is in the heavens and the earth — know that the conclusion of all matters is toward Him (toward Him is the end of everything).
— Here ends Sūrat al-Shūrā —